Two Greek films have found distribution in the US, in whatthe state-backed Greek Film Centre describes as a promising sign for a newgeneration of Greek filmmakers.

Picture This has acquired US distribution rights to Oxygen, a drama written and directed by ThanassisPapathanasiou and Mihalis Reppas.

Produced by Elena Hadzialexandrou, and sold by the GreekFilm Centre, the film tells the tragic story of a beautiful young boy who firesup passion in both men and women in his home village.

Meanwhile, Denis Iliades's Hard Core, a youth-oriented drama which focuses on the livesof two young women, has been sold to US distributor Strand Releasing andGermany's Legend Films.

"While 22 to 25 features are made in Greece each year,only three or four Greek films find international distribution. But what isreally exciting is that these are good Greek films that are made by youngdirectors," said the Greek Film Centre's head of sales andpromotion, Voula Georgakakou.

The organisation's president, Diagoras Chronopoulos,says the Greek Film Centre, which produces around 90% of the country'sfilms, plans to give greater financial support to young filmmakers.

"We believe that directors who have made more than sixor seven films should really find money on their own," Chronopoulosadded.

Greece's Deliveryby Nikos Panayotopoulos is currently screening

in the Venice 61 competition.